CHRISTIAN IS AS CHRISTIAN DOES
I don’t mind admitting I am a Giuliani fan.  I am crazy about him, but the more I see about McCain the more I like him.  Race 42008 brings up a story that brings tears to the eye. While the whole world is discussing Mike Huckabee and his religious conviction and Mitt Romney and his alleged religious conviction, no one is paying attention to John McCain.  In New Hampshire the other day, John McCain was doing a meet and greet about the environment.  He was approached by a severely disabled vet.
“…Then, Greg essentially asked McCain whether the politician thought he should go on living. "I'm thinking it would be better to let me die and let others consume," Greg said. "I really don't see any point in continuing because it's difficult for everyone else, it's hard to support me." I can't imagine a more awkward situation for McCain--having to counsel a complete stranger who, as one other journalist here put it, had essentially just read him a suicide note, and having to do so in front of about 200 people. And McCain's initial attempt was actually a bit awkward, as he mentioned that we are "a Judeo-Christian principled nation" that "believe[s] every life is precious." But McCain soon found his footing, and as he continued to counsel Greg, I noticed that a couple of men in the audience were crying. "All I can tell you," McCain went on, "is that [you have] loving family members, loving neighbors and friends who want to do everything we can to help you live as long and as beautiful a life as possible. And we pray for you. And we cherish you. God bless you." McCain then turned back to the topic at hand--the environment--and took a few more questions, but as the event was ending, he did one final pivot. "Greg," McCain said, "we want you and we love you and we need you and you will be our inspiration with your courage."…”

I am thoroughly convinced John McCain is probably the finest, GREATEST man in the race, either side.  He is a man of great faith.  I know his wife is. But the big question is if “Faith” is enough.  I’m not sure.  I do know that Huckabee has completely back-tracked on his immigration to the point where he is also back-tracking on his claim that his faith would determine how he approached immigration.  Rudy Giuliani is a good Catholic who doesn’t mind admitting to faults and to prayer.  Then we have the “saints” who have never sinned and who would give no quarter to an illegal immigrant:  Ron Paul, Tom Tancredo, and Duncan Hunter.    

Since the era of Reagan the GOP has been under the strangle-hold of the “Christian” right.  I’m sick and tired of it.  I was talking to a Dem friend this evening.  He wants more “religion” in the GOP because it will eventually destroy the party.  He’s more interested in the GOP falling apart into factions than the spread of Christianity.  In full disclosure I must relate that my friend is also a fellow Episcopalian who attends the same church as I and is married to one of my best friends who is a Republican.  She cancels his vote, so it doesn’t matter much what he says.  He’s more conservative than 95% of the Republicans I know, but still clings to his Dem background.  We both seriously agree the best thing that could happen to the Republican party would be for someone like Giuliani  to win and beak the strangle-hold the religious right has over the GOP.  (I have a feeling my friend will be voting for Giuliani but would never admit it).

But – let’s get religion out of politics.  There’s an editorial in the Detroit News today that makes this request.
“…Romney's political dilemma includes huge doses of inter-faith rivalry. Many Christian evangelicals, for example, condemn Mormon beliefs as being contrary to standard Christian theology. But all religions require a suspension of disbelief, and nearly everyone feels their faith is superior to all others. There should not be a religious test for the presidency, nor should the doctrines of a candidate's religion be part of the political debate. Romney has tried to keep his faith on the sidelines, where it belongs. Meanwhile, his chief rival in Iowa, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, is actively injecting religion into his campaign and getting a free pass. This week, Huckabee pitched evangelical pastors in Iowa, bringing attendees to their feet with the line, "If the G-O-P ever leaves G-O-D," then Huckabee would leave the party…”

WALKING THE WALK
I wish I could say Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk was enough.  I am honestly reconsidering my vote.  I will probably end up voting for Rudy Giuliani for the simple reason that I think Giuliani is the best person for the job.  In many ways I don’t want McCain to win because I think he is where he should be – in the Senate.  He is a statesman.  There aren’t many left.  Statesmen are more important than Presidents

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, The Virtuous Republic, Rosemary's Thoughts, The Random Yak, Adam's Blog, Right Truth, The Pet Haven Blog, Cao's Blog, The Amboy Times, The Bullwinkle Blog, Big Dog's Weblog, Leaning Straight Up, Chuck Adkins, Adeline and Hazel, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Woman Honor Thyself, The World According to Carl, Pirate's Cove, Celebrity Smack, CommonSenseAmerica, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
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